As the hockey season draws to a close, I hope that you have enjoyed watching your Knight playing the fastest game on ice and developing into a better hockey player over the past six months.

Encourage your son or daughter to work during the off season on the areas they may need improvement; stick handling, shooting, or if you choose skating at one of the various hockey clinics offered in the upcoming months.

It is also very important for the kids to be involved in other sports: play soccer, baseball, golf - whatever activity, being a well-rounded athlete is very important.

Congratulations to all the IYHA teams on giving their best effort and a big thanks to the parents for the commitment you make to get your Knight to the rink (wherever that rink may be).

I would also like to congratulate the High School boy’s and girl’s teams on a great season.

Finally, don’t have rink withdrawals in six and half months we will be back on the ice again.

Have a wonderful off-season – ENJOY YOURSELF!!

See you at the rink, I mean ball field or golf course.

Tom

Equipment Manager Information:

All team Coaches and Managers,

After your season has ended, please collect washed jerseys from all players on your team and turn in the complete team set all at one time to Randy Bortot.

Contact Randy @ 763-784-9557 (home) or 612-703-2845 (cell).

Thank You

Randy Bortot, IYHA Equipment Manager

Team Updates:

The A-Peewees finished our season with a second place trophy at the TriCity Super Rink Tourney this weekend. We had the Thunder Bay Kings in a 1-1 tie going into the 3rd period, but fell behind and pulling the goalie didn't pay off. It was fun! The players and coaches of the team are: **Players names removed from website by Web Site Administrator. Names are listed in original newsletter** Coaches: Doug Loahr, Tom Lucarelli, and Jim Cich. Sponsors: **Minnesota Conway "The Industry Leader"**Response Fire Protection Company**WW Goetsch Associates, Inc.**

Candidates for Board of Directors positions (Note: Listed in alphabetical order when more than one candidate for an office; this list may be incomplete—the full list will be posted in the April Newsletter. The election meeting is held on April 19, 2007.)

President

Mark Hentges, Candidate for President.

I would like to declare myself as a candidate for President of the Irondale Youth Hockey Association (herein referred to as IYHA).

My son and a daughter have been in the Initiation Program for three years and another daughter spent two years in the Initiation Program prior to retiring to pursue swimming and other athletic endeavors. All the kids have had a terrific time being part of IYHA. I have also been very actively involved in IYHA: coaching Mite teams for three years, attending many Board meetings, being an active member of both the Player and Coach Development Committee and the Ice Committee, fund raising, volunteering at tournaments, and running several warm-up sessions. I’m convinced that we, as an Association, have made great decisions in adding a significant amount of additional in-door ice time, hiring a Player and Coach Development Coordinator and in requiring that all teams participate in weekly or bi-weekly skills clinics. These and other initiatives will continue to bring excitement, fun and a positive “we can compete” attitude to IYHA.

From a personal perspective, I have been fortunate to have played quite a bit of hockey, at both amateur and professional levels (on good and challenged teams – I have compassion for both), have coached at many summer hockey schools (Herb Brooks and John Bazzachini) and have assisted with player evaluations for various teams/associations. I love the game of hockey and enjoy being on the ice with kids from all levels.

I stand for skills development, high expectations and the fact that hockey is all about the kids. In addition, I believe in openness of communications and clear decisions from the Board and parents.

Thank you for considering me for this board position.

Sincerely, Mark Hentges

Tom Lucarelli, Candidate for President.

IYHA,

I have had the privilege to serve as President of the Irondale Youth Hockey Association for the past six months. I have come to realize that it takes a huge commitment to make an association successful starting with the players, parents, coaches and continuing right up to the elected volunteers who serve on the board.

My two sons have been involved in the IYHA for the past seven years and will be at the Bantam and PeeWee levels for the upcoming season. I thoroughly enjoy being involved in all youth sports and have coached baseball and hockey over the past seven years.

To continue to build this association a dedicated effort to the Initiation Program must be maintained. We must also be open to all avenues to strengthen our boys and girls traveling teams. We can be successful but it takes a concerted effort from all of us.

This year saw the implementation of Player Development Clinics to improve both skating and stick handling skills as well as Goalie Clinics designed to keep our net minders sharp between the pipes. We must continue to develop our kids and strive to keep improving.

I truly believe we all share the same objective; we want our kids to enjoy the game and be competitive. It is inevitable that there will be differences in how we get to the end result. If we stay focused and open to all ideas, opinions and suggestions, our program will truly benefit.

I would like to continue to be involved with IYHA and am declaring myself a candidate for President of IYHA.

Thank you, Tom Lucarelli

Secretary

Trini Marcouiller, Candidate for Secretary

My name is Trini Marcouiller and I would like to officially submit my name for the position of Secretary for the Irondale Youth Hockey Association. I have 4 children, 3 of whom have skated with our Irondale program. The two oldest have finished their hockey careers, at least for now, and my youngest will be starting with the boys traveling program next season. Hockey has been a huge part of our family for the past 12 years, ever since my son started skating as a first grader back in 1995. I have seen the benefits that hockey has brought to my children's lives. I have learned that there is so much more to this than just a game. My children have learned about dedication and commitment, the value of hard work, and how to handle both success and disappointment. Hockey has given so much to my kids and I now have the time to really give back to this program.

I have served as a team manager for both my daughter's U15 team (2001-2002) and my son's A Mite team this past season. I have experience serving as a secretary on various boards. I was the Sunnyside PTA secretary for 2 years as well as the treasurer for one year when my older children were in elementary school. I also served as the secretary for the Irondale Girls Soccer Booster Club for two years.

It is my strong belief that the board's first commitment is to the kids. We, as an association, need to create an environment that is both fun and rewarding for these kids. It is important to give as much as we expect from them. I've seen how hard these kids work and how much they give of themselves. My hope is that the kids can develop into the best hockey players they can be and also develop a sense of pride and accomplishment as they do so.

District Representative

Chris Drews, Candidate for District Representative

I would like to declare myself as a candidate for the board position of district representative. My name is Chris Drews, and 3 am the proud father of three boys. Two of which are already in the initiation program. Christopher is a C mite and Jake is a mini mite. Luke, my third child is 2 and will be starting soon. I have been coaching in the initiation program for the past 3 years, during that time I have also attended several board meetings, and worked on several fundraisers and tournaments. During the day I run a chiropractic clinic in Woodbury. I think that I would be an excellent representative for the association. I have great communication skills and truly care about the kids and the future of the program. It would be my pleasure to communicate Irondale's thoughts and concerns to the district, as well as keeping the board up to date with current news and rulings by the district. I feel that I am a very approachable person, and keep in touch with fellow parents to bring their concerns to the board. In closing, I thank you for your consideration for this board position.

Ice Commissioner

Jackie Rog, Candidate for Ice Commissioner

My name is Jackie Rog and I have a son and daughter in the IYHA this year. I am interested in running for the position of Ice Commissioner. I have been working with the Max software (Ice scheduling program) that we currently use for IYHA, and throughout several of the arenas. I have worked as the Ice Commissioner for the last 7 month s and have learned a lot , and believe what I have learned will help us in the upcoming years. I will do my best to do a good job for the players, coaches and parents of the Association. Thank you.

Equipment Manager (continued on next page)

Equipment Manager

Tom Johnson, Candidate for Equipment Manager

Hi, I'm Tom Johnson, and I wish to be considered for the Equipment Manager's board position, a position for which I feel uniquely qualified.

My son has been in the initiation program for the past three years. During that time, I have performed many tasks honing my skills as a hockey dad:
1) Performed as team water boy. 2) Tied and untied at least one thousand pair of skates or so if seems. 3) Fitted helmets, mouth guards, breezers, and let's not forget about the socks! The players need to have great-fitting socks to ensure skates fit properly. 4) Lugged (no wheels) a couple thousand hockey bags or so it seems 5) Managed lost and found, including equipment, kids, and parents. 6) Served as team manager. 7) Assisted with fund raisers and tournaments. 8) Mastered rinkfinder.com.

Being a resident of New Brighton for the past 20 years and self employed, I have the flexibility to work around parents'/custodians' schedules. It would be my pleasure to collect used equipment and suit up our Irondale Hockey players!

Thank you for considering me for this board position.

Tom Johnson
Home: 651-636-7684
Cell: 612-232-0063

IYHA Board Meetings are open meetings.

Please feel free to come to the meetings. If you wish to have a copy of any information which is distributed at any meeting, please email or call Niki and it will be mailed to you. Upcoming dates for 2005 Board meetings are the

third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Our meetings are held at the New Brighton Family Service Center.

May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, December 20.

NOTE: If you wish to be on the agenda for the meeting, please contact Tom Lucarelli, President.

Lake Region Board Meetings:

Lake Region Hockey meetings are open meetings. Contact Jeanne Falconer for dates and times of the next meetings.

Sponsorships:

Sponsors for teams are listed below. This part of the newsletter will continue throughout the rest of the IYHA season. Please notify Niki Gjere of any additions or corrections. (Please forward information about websites and addresses, etc.) Many thanks to our sponsors!

President: Tom Lucarelli. At registration distribute IYHA Handbook outlining what IYHA expects from players, parents and coaches as well as what players and parents should expect from IYHA. Also, Association wide—need to keep brainstorming for new ways to get more kids involved in the program.

Vice President: Cheryl Mason. Absent.

Secretary: Niki Gjere.Newsletter deadline is March 1st. Survey needs to go out soon, will send it to the Board members and will need a fast turnaround. Need to send it out to parents quickly, will get surveys out to team managers and give out self-addressed stamped envelopes for return; will also email out the survey.

Treasurer: Tom O’Keefe:

·Motion: There is no refund for funds collected for registration; players who leave the Association will be reimbursed for funds collected in excess of estimated expenses incurred (TO) (TW); Discussion. Motion carried.

·Motion: Any injuries that are less than 6 consecutive weeks absence players are expected to pay for the team billings; if absent more than 6 weeks work with Program Coordinator, Team Treasurer, and the Association Treasurer to review payment options (TW) (TO); Discussion. Motion carried.

Boys Program Coordinator: Mark Mohar.Playoffs and Festivals are coming up. We have a chance to play in a VFW league for the Bantam A team, need to know in the Summer.

Girls Program Coordinator: Mike Nundahl. Playoffscoming up. Highland Heartbreaker tournament 10U teams took second and third. Recognize the Irondale High School team girls hockey team—they did really well in the playoffs!

Initiation Program Coordinator: Bob Gabler. Absent. Mark Hentges gave update—would like to have hockey free for Initiation kids—first year. Chris Drews elaborates would like to invite 75 kids that have never played hockey—free hockey for first year. Every year have 75 kids for free hockey (first year kids). Would like to have a fundraiser for the summer, and possibly ask Lake Region to match funds.

Ice Commissioner: Jackie Rog. No report.

District Representative: Tom Welty.At April Minnesota Hockey meeting. Dennis Green from Minnesota Hockey—discussion about redistricting again. Coordinators need to stay on top of their tournaments this next year—District is going to schedule games, need to be specific with black out dates—4 per team. If less than 7 teams in the league, then may play 3 times. St Paul Academy is going to come in, we need to give Tom feedback if they should be able to play a Bantam schedule. There is a line between youth hockey and high school hockey—concern about an erosion of this. Email Tom Welty with your thoughts about what we should do. Edison Association is in dire straits, very few kids left in the Association. Tom Lucarelli will have an informal conversation with Edison President.

Registration Coordinator: Jeanne Falconer. Had to leave before report.

Player and Coach Development: Mark Mohar. Goalie Clinic proposal for the summer, similar to last year. All goalies would be invited. Could use the ice from another rink that would be less expensive. Would propose charging some fee for the goalie to attend. Will work on this and bring back to the next meeting with final details.

20,000 puck club—would like to continue this for the next year.

Director of Player and Coach Development—job review is due in March.

Additional business:

Torri Johnson: Last year, had come to the Board of Directors and was concerned about the level of play for the Bantam B team. Had complaints this year, and would like to give positive Kudos for this year. Bantam C team—playing at the right level. Two non-parent coaches that have really helped out—they are fantastic! MICHAEL AND Andrew Falconer have been wonderful. Great parents on the team, and Edison parents have been awesome!

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Would you like to have something published in the newsletter? Please contact Niki Gjere. Would you like something on the Web Site? Contact Torri Johnson at
Information you share is helpful in keeping our members up to date about activities of the Irondale Youth Hockey Association! (The deadline for the next month’s newsletter is the first of each month.) Thank you!